How to be safe during adult swim
When your family is at the pool this summer, there is the all too familiar “adult swim”. This break (typically 15 minutes) is a chance for the lifeguards to test the chemicals, take a break from being vigilant, hydrate, and reapply sunscreen. It is not a time for your small children to socialize with the lifeguards, no matter how cool they think they are. Kids, no matter how strong of a swimmer they are, should not be in the water for any reason during this time. During adult swim, the pool is unguarded, meaning if something were to happen, no one is there to see it. If a guard does not see an incident happen, they are not there to perform a rescue or administer first aid if needed. Unfortunately, some children will sit on the stairs, and in a pool that has stair entries on both sides will try to quietly sneak from stairwell to stairwell underwater without getting caught. This is a very dangerous activity. To stay safe during adult swim:
Do not allow your children in the water, not even just sitting on the stairs
Make sure you continue to have eyes on your children, as most drownings happen during “non swim” time
If your child is using a life jacket or swim buoy, it should remain ON during adult swim, in the event the child accidentally falls into the water
Make sure your children are still following all pool safety rules, especially no running on deck
Make sure your children are not badgering the lifeguards, so they can take a quick mental break and remain vigilant for the rest of their shift
Instead, use the time at adult swim to take a break, hydrate, reapply sunscreen and use the restroom
